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About AOD
The Academy of Operative Dentistry was founded in 1972 by members of the Academy of Gold Foil Operators. They saw the need for an organization devoted to the operative dentist. The purpose of the Academy of Operative Dentistry was to promote excellence in operative dentistry by influencing the practice of the health professions in organized dentistry, health science education, and research. (read more)
President's Message
Dear members and guests of the Academy,
February in Chicago means cold weather and dental meetings are here again. Thousands of dentists arrive to expand their dental knowledge, sharpen technical skills and enjoy the company of national and international colleagues. For the Academy of Operative Dentistry, it is our premier meeting which the Executive Board, staff and many others have worked innumerable hours and months to develop a program which targets our members’ diverse dental interests.
The Academy of Operative Dentistry enjoys a close relationship with sister groups including the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, the Academy of R.V. Tucker Study Clubs and the American Board of Operative Dentistry. The newest member to this fold is the Advanced Operative Educators Alliance. AOEA is the collaboration of all 9 Operative Dentistry graduate programs to highlight the required skills and knowledge that these programs provide their graduates; many of whom maintain roles in academics and/or research to teach the next generation of dentists. Like the other aforementioned groups, pursuit of excellence is not just a common slogan loosely used to describe their existence. For anyone who has ever challenged a live patient event with either the AAGFO or ARVTSC, the technical skills required for successfully negotiating the triad of diagnosis, preparation and presentation of the final product is humbling to say the least. Excellence is the common thread of these groups, and the American Board of Operative Dentistry is where the very best showcase what it takes to rise above the ranks. We wish the AOEA the very best as they work hard to achieve greater heights and recognition in the art and science of Operative Dentistry.
Each year the Academy acknowledges two dentists who exemplify the very definition of what it means to reach greater heights in a career with Operative Dentistry. These awards are the Hollenback Prize and the AOD’s most coveted prize, the Award of Excellence. The Academy of Operative Dentistry recognizes the 2025 Hollenback Prize recipient from Augusta University Dental College of Georgia, Dr. Franklin Tay and the 2025 Award of Excellence recipient from the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dr. Bruce Matis. The culminations of their careers have far reaching effects which influence daily operations for so many dentists and so many of our members on a personal level. Congratulations and best wishes as you continue your dental journeys.
One of the heartbeats of our organization is the Journal of Operative Dentistry. This prestigious, peer reviewed publication is one of the finest scientific journals in the world of Dentistry. The Editorial Staff with its’ legion of World Class Reviewers is top notch! The list of 2024 Reviewers can be found in the front three pages of the Journal of Operative Dentistry Nov/Dec 2024 edition. They represent every corner of the Earth and these Clinicians sacrifice hours of their time to sift through research articles to find those which best benefit our profession and organization. To Editor Dr. Jeffrey Platt along with his staff whose dedication provides this bi-monthly publication, your extraordinary efforts and fine publications are recognized as the standard by which all others are measured. And as a final note, I would like to acknowledge a special recognition to the new incoming Editor Dr. Kim Diefenderfer for accepting the mantle and continuing the tradition. Thank you!
The Annual Meeting of the Academy of Operative Dentistry is something that I have anticipated yearly since Dr. Frank Caughman invited me so many years ago. It represents profound presentations in a relaxed, professional setting whereby the mentors seem overly abundant and eager to engage with membership and guests. It is a meeting that could easily be considered the best two day deal in dental education at one of the finest venues in Chicago, the Drake Hotel. Dr. Tom Cyr has organized a phenomenal lineup of lectures to challenge paradigms of thought, materials and techniques. And Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo has transformed the table clinic format into a big stage event with a new genre for the Academy known as Clinical Briefings. We are excited that this new format will enhance the member experience with numerous bite size presentations and encourage all to stay Friday afternoon. In addition, our goal is to enhance the experience for the younger clinicians who present their research in hopes to mold and develop new leaders for tomorrow’s lectures.
Welcome to Chicago and we hope that the 2025 Academy of Operative Dentistry Annual Meeting fulfills all of your expectations!
Sincerely,
Christopher T. Griffin DMD
Academy of Operative Dentistry President
A Special Announcement:
It is with great sadness that the Academy reports the death of Dr. Gregory E. Smith. Greg passed away on May 1st, 2023 in Gainesville, FL. He served the Academy for many years as the first Assistant Secretary and as Secretary for 18 years. His love for our organization and its members was evidenced by his devotion to duty and by the countless ways that he mentored those with whom he served. We shall be forever grateful for his friendship and we wish him Godspeed.
Dr. Rich Stevenson and Dr. Tina Lopez with Dr. Greg Smith (on right) in Chicago two years ago